New garage door opener

 My mother (who is in her late 70's) called an emergency
garage door repair shop last evening because her garage
door wouldn't close.  A new opener was installed and she was charged over
$1,000.  Can't remember the exact
amount, I started feeling nauseous when she said the thousand part. She was
told she had a "cheap one"
before, but now she has a "really good one".  She did
say the guy worked for hours and was there until almost
midnight.  So I guess she was paying a high price per
hour for the emergency part.  Any thoughts?  (I have
repeatedly asked her to call me before she calls anyone for any service, but
she doesn't).

  It sounds like your mom could be entering the early stages of dementia.  I
went through this with my mom and it was terrible.  Some of the first signs
my mom exhibited were the tendency to be more demanding (as in wanting
anything done right now) and also her judgment regarding the cost of things
(paying an absurd amount of money for something that could be easily fixed).
Unfortunately, your mom isn't aiming her "demands" toward you--making it
easier for you to run interference.  If she is having memory problems she
might not "remember" to call you first.  Are you in a position to suggest
she have a check-up and privately voice your concerns to her doctor?  There
are some pretty good meds on the market now to help slow the progression of
dementia and even help with her current memory/judgement issues--if that is
indeed her problem.